Buying more points to use for DCL?

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Hi all -

I’m curious - has anyone done the math on purchasing DVC points to use on cruises? This would be swapping vs. direct.

We’re finishing up our first and already considering another next summer.

I had planned to buy more points anyway, but now considering an increase above that original amount. When I consider how much next summer’s cruise will cost, putting that cash towards more points and swapping as needed down the road would make more sense?

But I’m cruising blind without my spreadsheets

 

[VGCgroupie]

I have not but I’d love to see if others have and the answers you get.

 

[intamin]

Is there an actual need for the points? I'm sure you haven't forgotten but after the initial purchase you're still stuck with the dues for another 40+ years

 

[OKW Lover]

Generally, it's not a good use of points to exchange them for a cruise. You'll find that the price of a cruise, in points, is not a really good deal. Excess points can be rented out for anywhere between $15 and $25 per point. Use a number of $20/point to see how much you would be paying for a DCL cruise if you used points.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Is there an actual need for the points? I'm sure you haven't forgotten but after the initial purchase you're still stuck with the dues for another 40+ years

It’s pretty impossible to forget about the dues!! In the off- cruise years, I would use to bring family/friends to WDW. Also - it wouldn’t be one cruise. It could be 10 + over the next however many years.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I think it's safer to only buy more points if you want to use more points for DVC most of the time. A cruise or 2 in a 10 year period might be convenient if you for sure want those points for DVC the rest of the time. Am I correct that you are saying you would use a service like the board sponsor to rent your points for you and essentially be your travel agent for the cruise?

 

[PoppyJ]

I didn't buy points specifically to use for cruising but it happened to work out that way because I couldn't stomach paying almost $9,000 for a one week cruise (Disney Alaska).

I did the cruise swap through David's. Had a great experience.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I think it's safer to only buy more points if you want to use more points for DVC most of the time. A cruise or 2 in a 10 year period might be convenient if you for sure want those points for DVC the rest of the time. Am I correct that you are saying you would use a service like the board sponsor to rent your points for you and essentially be your travel agent for the cruise?

Exactly - that’s what I was thinking.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Exactly - that’s what I was thinking.

Okay so that’s totally different than what I thought you were asking about.

Whatever the going rate is at a rental place is what you will get towards your cruise. There’s not a lot of variables. However with the new checkbox I’d probably not buy intending to rent.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Here’s a thread I posted awhile back https://www.disboards.com/threads/cruise-swap-via-3rd-party-brokers.3947775/

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Here’s a thread I posted awhile back https://www.disboards.com/threads/cruise-swap-via-3rd-party-brokers.3947775/

Thank you!! I knew you had started something before but couldn’t find it earlier!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thank you!! I knew you had started something before but couldn’t find it earlier!

Welcome. I did the process and it was very easy. We cruise in April.